The Plan of Escalante
In order to prevent further European expansion into what was then the western frontier of Northern New Spain and to improve communication, colonization and trade between the northern and southern reaches of the Empire of Mexico, Miguel Estrada, the Viceroy of New Spain, made a daring proposal in 1776. That proposal was called The Plan of Escalante. The plan could have changed the history of North America, but it was ultimately rejected due to political resistance from colonists and the Crown itself.
Fundamental to the plan was the idea of building dozens of forts with staffs of at least 200 people for the purpose of providing protection for Spanish colonists. Established in what is now the western United States, the forts would secure the southwestern flank of the Empire of Mexico. To secure a viable line of communications between the forts, roads would be built connecting the forts to other settlements and outposts in the region.
Estrada outlined a twofold economic plan in the form of the law of trade and industry to be used in the American colonies. It provided incentives to both the colonists and the Crown to exploit natural resources in the region and to develop trade and industry. This would include settlements of Spanish emigrants as well as the encouragement of native Indian cultural development and the adaptation of their agricultural practices by the colonists.
According to the plan, the forts, roads and settlements would be built and occupied by colonists over a span of three years. Colonists would be given plots of land and educated in industrial skills. They would have access to resources and goods imported from Europe, as the Crown would be in charge of commerce and transportation in the region. Native Indian communities would also be invited to take part in this project.
The Plan of Escalante would have been an important step for the growth and expansion of the Spanish Empire. This plan would have enabled the Empire to place itself in a good position strategically with regards to potential military incursions and the establishment of strong trading links with the other European powers.
Ultimately, this expansive plan was rejected despite Estradas efforts. Spanish colonists in the region did not support the idea of increased taxes and the notion of a controlled trade, while the Crown was concerned with the cost of building and maintaining the forts and roads. Also, the British were uninterested in the plan, as they saw it as an attempt to further Spanish control over the American colonies.
Today, the Plan of Escalante is regarded as a forward-looking blueprint of regional integration and economic expansion. Its principles, however, remain only a fascinating part of the history of the American West.
